Has anyone heard of know about a West Nile Vaccine for birds? I have screened my mews but I still would like to have a little more protection since the virus is present in my area.
There is an equine vaccine that a lot of vets have been using for birds, but I think there is a difference of opinion on whether it works. However, I beleive Dr. Redig suggests that it be used so that says a lot right there. Falconers around here, including me, have used it on our birds.
I'll tell you I'd get the bird tested for West Nile before I did any vaccine. The bird may already have the titers for the virus unless it's a fairly old bird or CB. If it is a wild bird the parents may have passed the antibodies for the virus at birth. The bird will still test positive for West Nile just like the birds that have received the vaccine. My friend in the Pfund gave me some info you may want to look into to. This is hear say and right now I can find the information about this study but my friend hasn't lead me astray yet. From what I heard Dr. Redig was trying to do a study on how the vaccine would affect the birds. He tried to find RTHs that didn't already have the virus or the titers. Guess what? I was told he could not find any, and this was in different areas of the country. So unless you bird is a older bird or CB I wouldn't worry about it as much. If you still have worries about it and the bird. Try to get the bird tested for it and see if it already test positive for it. If it does and shows no sign of illness I would probably say it is immune already. You can always contact Dr.Redig and get his opinion on the matter. I'm not vet but that is what I would probably do. I would also do what you hae done a set my mew to help reduce the risk.-Zach www.raptor.cvm.umn.edu/raptor/news/healthtopics/westnile/home.html
Above is a link to the Minnesota Raptor Center where you can get in contact with Dr Redig.
Post by Master Yarak on May 6, 2007 10:02:50 GMT -5
Great info Zach it gotcha Karma. The equine vaccine saved my bird. Nothing will convince me otherwise. This bird had been in PERFECT health. Even with the vaccine it almost died. I strongly recommend vaccination. She now carries the titers and I have seen nothing long term that indicates it had any negative impact. You apprentice under me, your bird will be vaccinated. It's just that important. Yarak
If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music he hears, however measured or far away
Dr Guy Fitzgérald, BoP veterinarian at the university of montréal school of veterinary medicine, has used the equine vaccine extensively for the past 4 years. He vaccinated the whole raptor collection of the UQROP (the 5th largest raptor rehab center in north america), and a large part of the raptor and corvids (much more sensible to the virus) collections of the Québec Zoo. We are talking about more than 200 birds.
What is positive is that there were no deaths or side effects associated to the vaccine. Many magpies died, but they often die from the manipulations associated with health exam, they did not loose more than the years they examined them but did not vaccinated.
Few raptors and corvids were touched by the disease. However, amongst the birds that catch west nile virus, there was an even number of vaccinated and unvaccinated birds. Even. So far, his opinion about the vaccine has changed so much that he does not vaccinate anymore. He thinks, and he still needs more studies to know if his opinion is right, that maybe the vaccinated birds fight the disease a little bit more efficiently than the unvaccinated ones, but he his not even sure about that. For birds that need to be cast for the shot, he strongly advise against it except if casting has to be done anyway for other reasons.
Everything I hold in my hands today could be only a memory tomorrow. Carpe Diem.
Take a look at this link on reported WNV cases. Run through the years and look at how the map changes as far as reported cases in birds. Not saying that there is no WNV in those areas but less wild birds are being picked up. In the begining Florida had a lot of cases and recently there is hardly any. As many swamps that are here I always wondered why I haven't seen more cases.-Zach